T.J. Quick Receives Region V Dr. LeRoy Walker Award

(FULTON, Mo., May 12)--William Woods University softball player T.J. Quick (Fulton, Missouri) has been named the NAIA Region V recipient of the Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award.

The award, considered one of the most prestigious awards in the NAIA, honors a student-athlete who excels in athletics and academics and is committed to the Champions of Character program’s five core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

Quick, a junior outfielder, and a graduate of Fulton High School, has played a key role in the William Woods University softball program’s commitment to the Champions of Character program. She played an important role in the development of the William Woods University Champions of Character website. Quick was one of many student-athletes to post testimonials about the Champions of Character program and how it relates to her and her teammates.

“TJ Quick is a great example of the total person that William Woods University works hard to develop,” said William Woods Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Larry York. “She is talented academically, excellent athletically, a great citizen, and exemplifies strength of character that is second to none.”

Head Softball Coach Tracy Gastineau said, “This is a great honor for TJ, our softball program, and the University. TJ has been a leader in our Champions of Character program since her freshman year, always bringing ideas to the team for servant leadership, as well as being a role model for young athletes and students in the community. She is a great kid with a kind heart and it is nice to see her activities and involvement with the community and our university being recognized in this way.”

While at William Woods, Quick has also excelled on the field. Here is a list of her accomplishments.

- 2006 Second Team National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American.
- 2006 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Second Team All-American.
- 2006 First Team NAIA All-Region V.
- 2006 NFCA First Team All-Midwest Region.
- 2006 First Team All-American Midwest Conference (AMC).
- 2006 NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete.
- 2006 Academic All-AMC.
- 2007 First Team All-AMC.
- 2007 Academic All-AMC.

- 2007 NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete.

- 2008 First Team All-AMC.

- 2008 Academic All-AMC.

- 2008 NAIA Region V Scholar-Athlete.

- 2008 Recipient of the William Woods University Helen Stephens Award.

- Six-time member of the William Woods University Dean’s List.

- Three-time softball team Champions of Character Representative.

- Member of the William Woods University Athletics Director Counsel of Athletes.

Quick was one of 10 finalists for the national award. Mislav Hizak, a student-athlete from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.), was named the 2008 recipient of the National Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award. This award is named after Dr. Walker, President emeritus of the United States Olympic Committee, who served as president through the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. Dr. Walker is a former president of the NAIA.

The NAIA’s flagship character initiative is designed to instill an understanding of character values in sport and provide student-athletes, coaches and parents the training to help them know and do the right things, inside and outside the sports setting. Champions of Character is dedicated to the principle that character is a choice and that being a champion is about reaching your potential and making good decisions consistently in daily life.

The NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.

Release provided with assistance from the NAIA and the William Woods University Department of Relations